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Magnolia Solar Corporation Completes Reverse Merger
CompoundSemi News Staff

January 18, 2010...Magnolia Solar Inc., a developer of nanotechnology-based thin-film solar cells with funding from the DOD, DARPA, and NASA, reports that on December 31, 2009 it completed a reverse merger with publicly traded Mobilis Relocation Service Holdings, Inc. Under the terms of the Merger, Magnolia merged with Mobilis, a Nevada corporation, becoming Mobilis's principal operating business. Following the Merger, Mobilis changed its name to "Magnolia Solar Corporation." Magnolia Solar Corporation is the surviving corporation and Magnolia became its wholly-owned subsidiary. Midtown Partners & Co., LLC ("Midtown") served as Magnolia's placement agents.

Dr. Ashok K. Sood, the President and CEO of Magnolia Solar Corporation, commented, "Becoming a publicly-traded corporation will help us gain access to the capital markets that we need to more aggressively grow our thin film solar business. We intend to continue to provide environmentally responsible and low cost solutions for the solar industry." Magnolia Solar News Release

January 18, 2010...Germany has started a new national Research and development project focused on the development of OLED displays and lighting. MOCVD equipment maker Aixtron will be among the eleven partners taking part in the 14.7 million Euro R&D project. The project called So-Light (Special organic Light) is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) for three years. It will focus on specific OLED applications, such as special lighting systems and displays. The technological focus will be on novel materials (transport materials, triplet emitter, redox dopants and matrix materials), improved optical systems and on process technologies for small molecule based OLEDs. Aixtron says it will the lead in developing on process technologies for small molecule based OLEDs this area through the optimization of its proprietary OVPD (Organic Vapor Phase Deposition) technology. Other project will also produce application studies and demonstrator devices for specific applications such as automotive or architectural lighting and backlights for large displays.

Prof. Michael Heuken, Vice President R&D at Aixtron said, “OLEDs and its application for special lighting and signage purposes is one of our strategic research targets. The So-Light project partners share the vision that OLEDs will play an important role to provide environmentally friendly light sources combined with novel design opportunities.”

Novaled AG Dresden, Sensient Imaging Technologies GmbH, Westfälische Wilhelms University of Münster, Fraunhofer IPMS Dresden, Symboled GmbH, Fresnel Optics GmbH, Hella KGaA Hueck & Co, Siteco Beleuchtungstechnik GmbH, AEG-MIS mbH and  the University of Paderborn are other partners in the project. Aixtron News Release

Panasonic Develops A Gallium Nitride (Gan) Inverter Ic For Motor Drive With High Efficiency
CompoundSemi News Staff

January 18, 2010...Panasonic of Osaka, Japan has reportedly developed a gallium nitride (GaN)-based monolithic inverter integrated circuit (IC) on a single chip for motor drive. The integrated six GaN-based transistors can be independently driven in a single chip to convert direct current to alternating current. Panasonic says that the device enables successful motor drive with high efficiency. The new GaN inverter IC, which was made on a large diameter silicon substrate, is reportedly applicable to motor drive in a variety of consumer electronics.

Panasonic's proprietary Gate Injection Transistors (GITs) are integrated into a single chip taking advantages of its lateral device configuration. The company claims that it is the first ever GaN-based monolithic integrated inverter IC on a single chip. According to the company, the GIT serves normally-off operation with low on-state resistance and high breakdown voltage. Planar isolation using iron (Fe) ion implantation can allow independent operation of each GIT and can keeping high breakdown voltage around 900V between each transistor. This gives it stability even after high temperature fabrication process over 800ºC. The epitaxial structure is reportedly grown using metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) with novel buffer structures which fully relax the strain in the film caused by the lattice and thermal mismatches between GaN and Si. Successful motor drive is confirmed using the new GaN-based monolithic inverter IC. The device's conversion loss is effectively reduced by 42% compared to conventional Si-based IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) at the output power of 20W. Panasonic News Release

Spire Gets NREL Approval to Begin Phase II of Concentrator Solar Cell Contract
CompoundSemi News Staff

January 13, 2010...Spire Corporation, a provider of turnkey solar production lines reports that its wholly owned subsidiary, Spire Semiconductor, LLC, has successfully completed Phase I of its High Efficiency Concentrator Solar Cell program with the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The NREL reportedly authorized Spire Semiconductor to begin Phase II of the program. . Phase II involves an 18-month, $3.7 million cost share subcontract in which Spire Semiconductor is developing technology to cost-effectively manufacture 42% efficient, 500 sun, concentrator solar cells for concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) systems.

Spire Semiconductor passed through the NREL Stage Gate Review, a go/no go decision point to validate the progression of the project and assure that progress meets contract objectives. Performance parameters such as competitive levelized cost of energy (LCOE); annual manufacturing capacity potential; direct manufacturing cost; and cell mean time between failure (MTBF) had to meet project objectives for Phase I. PV cell performances of greater than 39% efficiency was achieved during Phase I.

“We are very happy to be given the go ahead with our program,” said Roger G. Little, Chairman and CEO of Spire Corporation. “It validates our efforts toward developing a proprietary gallium arsenide (GaAs) concentrator solar cell that exceeds anything commercially available.” Mr. Little added, “With Spire’s strong position in the solar industry, the availability of our custom GaAs concentrator will put us in a good position to help our customers meet this market demand.” Spire News Release

Spectrum Microwave Awarded Contract for PAs Used in Joint Tactical Radio Systems
CompoundSemi News Staff

January 13, 2010...Thales Communications of Clarksburg, Maryland has reportedly selected the Spectrum Microwave Business Unit of Spectrum Control Inc. as the supplier for the RF power amplifier for the Extended Band Manpack, an accessory to the AN/PRC-148 JTRS Enhanced Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio. Production of the RF power amplifier will be performed at Spectrum Microwave's Palm Bay, Florida operation and is currently expected to commence in early 2010. 

Dick Southworth, Spectrum Control's President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "This is a major win for our Microwave Group. The selection by Thales for the development and production of the RF Power Amplifier for their Extended Band Manpack Radio highlights our technical design and production capability strengths for the military market.  We look forward to a successful and continuing relationship with Thales on this and future projects." Spectrum Control News Release

Global Solar Energy Gives Taste of CIGS Technology with USB-Enabled Portable Charger
CompoundSemi News Staff

January 11, 2010...Global Solar Energy Inc., a maker of copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) thin-film solar products has introduced a portable solar charger with a universal serial bus (USB) connection. The Sunlinq portable solar charger is designed to charge and power any mobile device capable of connecting and charging via a USB interface. The company says that the charger, which is equipped with efficient, flexible solar cells, allows consumers to keep their devices charged and ready to use at any time, from any location.

According to Global Solar, the portable chargers can provide reliable solar power generation for any device with a USB port including mobile phones, PDAs, iPods, and electronic readers like the Kindle. The company notes that unlike most solar chargers which rely on an integrated battery to store power, the USB Mini and Plus solar chargers provide energy directly to the device’s battery for a faster and more efficient charge. The company originally designed the chargers to meet military specs, with a tough, weather resistant, nylon rip-stop backing. Their voltage regulation is standardized to 5V to meet USB charging specifications. The company contends that the SUNLINQ portable chargers offer power even under cloudy or overcast skies.

Jim Kimbrough, North American sales manager for Global Solar commented, “With the addition of our SUNLINQ USB Mini and Plus Global Solar can address the growing list of more than two billion electronic devices capable of charging via USB technology.” Company News Release

BIPV Metal Roofing Systems Provider EnergyPeak and Ascent Solar Innovate Metal Roofing Solution
CompoundSemi News Staff

January 11, 2010...Ascent Solar of Thornton, Colorado USA , a producer of flexible, thin-film copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) solar modules announced the development of new, variable width, building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) products with the help of EnergyPeak. The new products are for the U.S. standing seam metal roof marketplace. The work to optimize this new metal roof solution has reportedly been part of an existing agreement with EnergyPeak of Moon Township, Pennsylvania. EnergyPeak is a marketing segment of CENTRIA Services Group. Both Ascent Solar and EnergyPeak expect the testing of novel BIPV products to proceed through the first half of 2010, with the intent to purchase modules for projects in the second half of 2010.

“We are pleased to publicly announce our existing relationship with Ascent Solar. We look forward to testing PV products from Ascent that can meet the needs of our metal roof industry," Rick Mowrey, Director of Marketing and Business Development for EnergyPeak and CENTRIA stated.

“Metal roofing systems are an ideal end market solution of our unique, light weight and flexible photovoltaic modules. With a short-term total addressable market of 10 million square feet of BIPV per year and long-term 100 million square feet of BIPV per year, EnergyPeak is an ideal business partner for this endeavor,” Farhad Mogadam, CEO of Ascent Solar commented. EnergyPeak News Release

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